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The French have long given up on trying to win the Tour de France, so it’s no surprise that FDJeux brings a team loaded with opportunists looking for a shot at a stage victory.

That’s not to say the French have given up entirely on the GC. Last year, FDJeux were best-classified among the host nation, with Christophe Le Mével earning the distinction of best French rider with 10th at 14:25 back. Sandy Casar, a former Tour stage winner, was second-best French at 12th at 17:19 back.

Both of them will return for FDJeux, which announced this week that it would continue backing the French squad through 2014 — great news in these hard times.

Joining them in Rotterdam on July 3 will be Rémy Di Grégorio, who not too long ago was touted as the next Richard Virenque. The lean climber, who hails from Virenque’s Marseille region, has failed to live up to expectations, but a string of injuries has kept him off his best.

Anthony Geslin and Benoit Vaugrenard can be counted on to be in breakaways. Highly touted Aussie talent Wesley Sulzberger, who made his grand tour debut last year at the Vuelta a España, will be making his Tour debut as well.